Apparatus for removing juice from fruit



June 13, 1950 F. w. RAHRER APPARATUS FoR REMovING JUICE FRoM FRUIT Filed sept. 2o, 1947 .FRAN

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APPARATUS FOR REMovING JUICE FROM FRUIT Filed sept. 2o, 1947 5 sheets-sheet z l INVENTOR. Franc/J M/ Ha/ef BYW) A TTORNE VJ June 13, 1950 F. w. RAHRER APPARATUS FOR REMOVING JUICE FROM FRUIT Filed sept. A 2o, 1947 5 Shets-Sheet 5 INVENToR. Franc/s WH0/Ver BY/wld 40% A T TOR/VEYJ June 13, 1950 F. w. RAHRER- APPARATUS RoR REMovING JUICE FROM FRUIT Filed Sept. 20, 1947 June 13, 1950 AF. W. RAHRER 2,511,374

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING JUICE FROM FRUIT Filed Sept. 20, 194'? 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N V EN TOR. Franc/s M( Rab/er BY @tl/W2] 4- ATTOR/VEVJ' Patented June 13, 1950 ArPAnATUs Fon REMovmd-JUICE ,Faoin FRUIT Francis WRahx-er, La leland, Flea. ,.Apnlicatsm September 20, 1947,-SerialNo.1775,335

11 Claims.

This invention relates to. vimprovements in the art ofrextractingrjuicefrom fruit and more `particularly vtoan apparatus for and method ofdejuicingcitrus and like.nuits.v

It has been diflicult. heretofore to obtain citrus fruit juice uncontaminatedbyrind .oil and. other undesirable viiavoring,substances. Unless these contaminants areremoved, 4the. taste of the juice is impaired and the vr juice itself tends to' age quickly and thus .become more unpalatable. A common disadvantage of many dejuicing methods and machines inthis respect is that they employA so .-1n11ch. 1 pressure V.to express Ythe juice from` the. fruitthat relatively.l large amounts .of rindand pulp `Oilv are inevitably? produced. and. frequently, no ,effort isinade. to Vprevent such materialsifro'm mingling with. the` juice.

A principal. object of the invention is toextract juice from fruit by. compression .means and to recover itk in a form uncontaminated by rind oil vand other unwanted ..avo.rs Another Aobject is vtoiinprove theyield of juice and to employ less pressurey for extracting -the juicethanhas usuallyL been considered necessary. lA further obiectis to `collect separately-*from the Juice .any rind oilI formed `duringfthe. cornpr'ession of the. fruit. Other objects.andfadvantageslwill appeal hereinafter. e e 4 The invention-may beunderstood byrcferrmg to the-accompanying drawingsin which' vis illustrated apreferred form of apparatus and method. and in which:

Fig.. 1 iS. a vside f-eleyationriwith .some parts broken away, of anapparatus for. receiving, dejuicing, land discharging. fruit;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional View, withsome. parts omitted, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.` 3A is an enlarged side view of a detached fruit holder` of 1the kind shown in the lower part of Fig. 1;

Figfl is a central, longitudinal section of rthe fruit holder ofFig. 3;

Fig. 5 is anA endviewof the fruit holder shown Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is anenlargediplanyiew of a holder-V Inountedas shown vin the.. lower part of Fig. 1;

'Fight is a section taken alone .the .line 'If-1.0i of Fig. .6.;

Fig. 81S an .endA viewofthc holderof Fia-6:

Fig. 9 isahottom viewof. thelholderof Fig. 6 with .the chain omitted; e

Fig. l0 .is an enlarged sectional View along the the line S-9 of Fig. 1 with parts 0f the `constlllition omitted;

' Fig. 11 .isa section alongthelixe II-II of. lig`.r.1.0:

ablyfdrilledf tok permit themV lto be .secured to the 52 Fig. 12 is. anenlargedpartial view of a inodication-of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a plan View. of Fig. 12 with part of the construction omitted;

Figalll is .avv-iew somewhat .similar to Fig. 2, but only-partly insection and showing amodiied construction; and

Fig. 15 is a sectional v-iewtaken alongthe.- line I 5.I5fof Fig., 14.

Generally speaking. ,the` invention :provides :1a means for. dejuicing fruit `of the .citrus'varietyby Continuously and consecutively. advancing .the

fruit in La series of. individual. fruitv holders. .and`

progressively compressing it in the holders. as. it advances. One or more .consecutive .lines or streams of ladvancing fruit, may .be handled, a1- though. for simplicity the invention is illustrated and will be de zscribedy in yconnection with .only one. Means areprovided at the` lbeginning or initial stage -of the compressing actionior formingy an opening in the. fruit bykpiercing` the rind and for severingV the interior Epulp structure. Means .are

thenproyided for withdrawing fruit juice throughY be seen ascomprising a series of individual fruit holders -generally designated as I0, and pref.- erably as shown in Fig. .1.. mounted on a pair of continuously movable` endless; chainsy I I.. I2, the

directionof moi/ement being representedbythe.

arrows. The lower holders I3 of thelower chain diierfsomewhat from thefupper holders I4 ofthe upper chain, as V`will belaterdescribed. Y.Chain Il is disposed Varound pairs-,cf `sprocket wheels. l5. IS Whichare mounted .on theshatsI'I, .[8, respectively, .whileschain I2 Vis :supported .on pairs of sprocketl wheels I9, 20, which in turn are mountedon they shafts '2L-22.. Suitablemeans (notshown) are providedfor supporting and4 driringtne upper. andlower shafts. The chain is. of the roller .typelhavilg alternate links, 23 (Figs.

. 1, 2, 7, and 9) comprising a pair of rollers .Z4/.held

betweeriside platesZB by pins 26.' ,The other links 2l have .Lshaped.side plates. 28 for mounting Lthe frutholders thereto. AS-Shown inFigS. '7` and f8. ther braGketpQiftOI'ls, 29 of. side. Plates '28..ar`esut- 3 holder I3 by screws 363. It will be noted that the fruit holders are mounted on alternate links of the chains.

As shown, the chains are positioned to travel relatively to each other in a fruit-compressing path, the upper and lower holders being engageable with each other in a fruit-compressing rela-v tion throughout this path. The amount of pressure on the fruit progressively increases as the chains and holders approach each other in the right hand side of Fig. 1 and progressively decreases as they travel away from each other in the left hand side of the figure. pressure is exerted at the central portion of the chains, say over the distance designated as P-P in Fig. 1, in which position the chains are nearest and substantially parallel to each other and the upper and lower holders are fully meshed.

Each of lower holders lf3 comprises a fruit seat 3l of generally frusto-conical shape (Figs. 3 8) intersected by a series or group 32 of upstanding, spaced, parallel nhs or nlikev members 3% of a greater height than the fruit seat. Theseries ofv iinlike members has a generally cylindrical outline and is slightly tapered from bottom to top, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The series has a central cavity 34 extending inwardly of the free ends The greatestVV turing member in a rind-penetrating position relative to the fruit. Means are also provided adjacent the beginning of the fruit compressing path for actuating or rendering the last means momentarily operative to move the puncturing member a substantial distance through the rind and into the fruit to Severthe pulp structure of the same.,y In the form shown, Aand, as is preferred, the puncturing member supporting means may be a sleeve-like member 62 having a pair of shafts ed, e4 mounted adjacent the upper end Y thereof which carry rollers E5, 66. The upper Iportion of the member 62 is tubular in form while the lower portion comprises a pair of arms `61, E58 of slightly concave cross-section. A bearing Y -sleeve @e is provided in the tubular portion of 35 of said members to form a1 fruit receptacle f which at the base 36 thereof merges into the upper fruit-receiving portion 31 of the fruit seat. The fruit seat and the fruit-supporting nlike members have aY common base portion 38, as shown in Fig. 4. The end members 3S, 4S) of the series 32 are joined to the base portion by brackets 4I', 4,2. A'central bore 43 extends axially through the seat 3|, opening through `rsubstantially the entire area of the upper'portion 31. Seat 3l is bounded by the conically shaped walls 44, which slope downwardly from the top or upper portion 31 and which are intersected by the nlike members 33. As shown in Figs. 6 and '1, the fruit holder may be disposed in a rectangularly shaped supporting member -having an upstanding wall 46 which completely encloses the fruit holder. A channelv 41, formedbetween the holder and the supporting or containing member 4E, surrounds the holder. Member 45 is also provided with a pipe 48 (Figs. 1 and 2) opening through anvend wall thereof.

The upper holders I4 are similarV to the lower holdersfexcept that their fruit seats or supports 50 (Figs. 1 and 2) are not bored and the holders are not supported in a walled container.Y If desired, however, walled containers Vmay be provided for the upper holders. The circular groups 5I (Fig. 2) of nlike members 52 of the upper holders are substantially the same as those of the lower holders except that the latter have one more nnlike member. 1 Y

' As corresponding pairs of upper andV lower holders approach each other in order to compress the fruit in the lower holder, the nlike members of each holder intermesh, the members of one holder slipping between the fm spaces of the other. The bore 43 of each fruit seat 3| is provided with a guide tube 3E! (Figs. 2 and 10) through which a hollow or channeled fruit puncturing member 6i is movable back and forth and into the rind and pulp structure of the fruit for varying distances. Puncturing member 6I has a serrated cutting end Gla. Means are provided for movably supporting each said puncturingl member, such means being normally operative throughout the fruit-compressing path to support the puncmember 62, being immovably xed thereto. Sleeve 59, in turn, is slidable longitudinally but not rotatably of the guide tube G, the sleeve being suitably mounted to the guide tubefor this purpose, as by'a keyed or splined connection (not shown). A guide rmis xed to the lower end of the guide tube, as by brazing,-as indicated at 1Il The rollers 65, 66 vof' member G2 are disposed1 for travel in al pair of-partially enclosed tracks 11, 1&by which means the member 62 is rendered normally"operativev throughouty the" fruit-compressing path to support the puncturing member 6I in a rind-penetrating position relative to the fruit. Means in the form of cam surfaces 'I9 (Fig. 1) on the tracks 11, 18 adjacent the beginning of the fruit compressing path serve to render the roller or track-traversing member B2 momentarily operative to move the puncturing member Y @I a substantial distance into the fruit in order l' to form an opening therein and to sever the pulp has a similar entrance (not shown).

structure. As shown in Fig. 1, the track 11 has a flared entran-ce 8U for engaging the rollers of the member 62 at a point a little in advance of the engagement of the'fruit holders. Track 'I8 wardly from each end S3, Se towards the center 85, where the juice is collected and `then drawn off through the conduit 85; reservoir are open, at least in the upper :portions thereof, to enable rthe lower portions ofthe punc' turing tubes 6I Vand members 5 2' to clear them.V

, Means for supporting."the upper andv lowerv chains along the fruitucompressing path are provided inthe form of tracks crroller chaingsupports 31, 88 (Figs. 1 and Y.2) toaid in maintaining the holders in fruit-compressing relation.'

In the operation of the machine'fruit is fed to a lower holder via the chute 89. -Thereafter the fruit supporting holder is engaged by a corresponding holder on the upper chain and the fruit is grippedbetween them. As the lower holder approaches the fruit compressing path,`

The tracks The ends of the 4vvlniclflgrnay generally be defined as the vdista-nce betweenrtheinner or near edges of, say,the lower sprocket wheels, the ,roller member S2 rides up the .cam surfaces 19 lof tracks 1'1, 13, and in turn the puncturing member is forced into the fruit a substantial distance. `ln such movement of the puncturing member, three distinct functions are accomplished: first, an opening is made in the fruit,` through which the juice may be removed; Second, the pulp structure of the fruit is severed so asV to require less pressure for extracting the juice; and third, a juiceV conduit in the form of theV puncturing tube is inserted in the opening. As the holders advance, the cam surfaces Si) (Fig. 1) of the tracks 11, 18, over which the roller member S2 moves downwardly, serve to de-actuate said;member with respectvto the puncturing tube.; and as a result the tube is partially withdrawn from the fruit to a point where it just penetrates through the rind. Tracks 11, 18 are so constructed as to render the roller member 62 operative to support the puncturing tube in its rind-penetrating position as long as the fruit is being compressed. The plug or disc of rind which is cut out by the puncturing member sometimes hangs to 'the .pulpY inside the fruit `and does not interfere with the passage lof Vthe juice through the puncturing tube. At other times it may be cut free of the pulp and it then passes through the puneturing tube along with the juice and `seeds and is later separated therefrom by means of a strainer.

The juice that is released during the compression of the fruit passes through the puncturing tube and into the reservoir 82. Maximum pressure is applied to the fruit when it traverses the path, generally indicated as P-P on Fig. l, in which positions the upper and lower chains are substantially parallel. When the fruit has traversed such path, the chains move away from each other and the pressure is decreased. During the time when the greatest pressure is applied to the fruit, rind oil may tend to be expressed from the rind. Such oil will ilowdownwardly over the surface of the fruit and towards the fruit seat of the lower holder. It does not pass into the puncturing tube because the upper level of the tube is above the top of the seat and above the lowermost portion of the rind. Nor does the oil tend to collect on the top or upper portion 31 of the seat, which is substantially smaller in area than the area of a central cross-section of the fruit. Rather, the oil drains downwardly along the sloping walls 134 of the fruit seat and ultimately finds its way to the base 38 of the holder where it collects in the channel d1 between the holder and the walled supporting member d5. Some of the oil may be intercepted as it flows downwardly over the rind by the upstanding finlike members 3 3, and it then ows downwardly along these members to the sloping sides t of the fruit seat to the peripheral channel lll'. The oil may be removed from the channel through pipe 48.

As the fruit holders leave the parallel section P-P of the fruit compressing path, they may be sprayed with water to remove any rind oil from them. For this purpose a number of water sprays Sl may be provided as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. A total of four sprays on each side of the holders may be employed, although of course the number may be varied as desired.

As the Yholders disengage from each other, the crushed fruit may be` removed therefrom by means Vof Ythe fork; members .9 2, :9.3 (Fig. .1) .which if: areV thin enough to nassbetween the flnlikomembers ,33 of the holders.

The foregoing operation has been described in connection with a singlepair of upper and lower holders, but it will .of course'be appreciated that the other holders operate in the ksame way in a continuous and` consecutivo manner- If desired...the puncturins, tube .may be rotated as it pierces the fruit in yorder to improve the cutting action. Suitable means may be provided responsive to movement of the roller member in order to rotate the punoturiug. tuloo- VSuolo means. for example, may be responsive to the upward movement lof the roller member -as it traverses the camsurfacesli of rtracls 11,18. `As illustrated inFigs. 14 and15, the roller member Vin this case may comprise a roller carrier too, which comprises a ring lill Yhaving a ipair of upwardly extending, oppositely disposed shafts |92, |633 carrying rollers |04, IE5 for engagement with tracks 11, 18. The ring Vhas an annular step or land |06 which is providedwith upper andlower bearing races or grooves |91, |08, in which upper and lower bearings |09, `Iilare disposed. Cooperative with theI roller carrier is a follower |l| which comprises a cylindrical tube H2 having a pair of flanges I i3, H4 at the upper end thereof. Flange ||4 maybe detachable, as by meansof la threaded engagement, .to facilitate assembly of the parts. `Agroove H5 `is, formed lolfween .the flanges for receiving the Step I of the roller carrier lill). The upper and lower inner lsurfaces of the anges have bearing .races llt, Il?, which cooperate with the races, m1 Hill, respectively, `of the step lto retainthe bearings its, IH). The upper inner surface ll of the follower tube H2 has agpairfof oppositely placed Yguides or keys H9, |20 .whose function will presently appear. At the bottom of tube H2 is a ring lill similar to ring 1,4 .0f Figs2 and 10, by ymeansol which the vfollower isvsecured to the puncturing tube |22 as by screws |23, |2l.

The punoturins tube, which is. similar te tube Blof Figs. 2 and 1l), is movable in guide tube |25, which is fixedly disposed in the bore l2@ of fruit seat |21. The lower portion of the guide tube is disposed in the bore |28 of the double threaded screw member |29, which is :mounted to the plate or supporting member I3!! of fruit holder 13| as by meansof the screw |32. The keys IIS, |20 of the follower are engaged in the grooves |33, |.3,4respectively, of the screw meniber, as shown, and are adapted to travel upwardlyin the grooves in responseto suitable urgF lng.

In operation, when the roller carrier It@ approaches the cam surfaces 19 of tracks 11, 13 (noteFig. 1'), it begins to move upwardly, and in turn exerts an upward thrust on the follower which is .thus urged vto turn or rotate about thescrew lmember by virtue of the Vengagement of thekeys H9, |20 inthegrooves |33, |311. As is evident, the follower also .rotates relative to the roller carrier by virtue of the ball bearing connecti'on. Inr this manner, as long as the roller carrier moves up the cam surfaces, the follower will rotatably ascend the screw member. Since the follower is secured to the puncturing tube, the latter is rotatably moved through the seat bore and into the fruit. The screw member is so threaded as to provide 3A to one turn of the puncturing tube as it advances into the fruit.

vIn korder to prevent .the roller carrier from turning during its-upward passage over the cam surfaces,.a rod |35 ,isprovided which at its upper following is claimed: -Y

1. A machine for removing juice free of rind oil and other contaminants from citrus fruit which comprises a continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of said holders comprising a centrally rboredfruit seat surrounded by a fruit receptacle; a second continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of which holders comprises a fruit support surrounded by a fruit receptacle engageable with said first receptacle; said second endless chain being positioned to travel in a progressive fruit-compressing path relative to said rst chain, corresponding holders of each chain being (l) movable towards each other at the beginning of said fruit-compressing path, (2) engageable with each other in fruit-compressing relation throughout said path, and (3) movable away from each other at the end of said path; means for supporting the holders of both chains during the time they are in engagement with each other; a hollow fruit-puncturing member movable back and forth through each said seat bores and into the fruit; track means spaced below said seat bores and having a cani surface adjacent the start of the fruit-compressing path; track traversing means movably supporting each said puncturing member and responsive to said cam surface for moving the puncturing member through the fruit seat bore of each holder and into the fruit; and means for partially withdrawing the puncturing member from the fruit after the latter has been puncturedsaid hollow puncturing member serving to carry off juice from the interior of the fruit as the latter iS progressively compressed between the holders of said chains.

2. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit comprising a rst continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of said holders comprising a fruit seat; a second continuously movable Vendless chain of individual fruit holders, each of which holders comprises a fruit support; said second endlessv chain being positioned to travel in a progressive fruit-compressing path relative to said rst chain, and in which corresponding holders of each chain are (i) movable towards each other at the beginning of said fruit-compressing path, (2) engageable with each other in fruit-compressing relation throughout said path, and (3) movable away from each other at the end of said path,l the combination therewith of: fruits seatsfor said rst holders each having a centralbore therethrough; a hollow rotatable fruit-puncturing member movable back and forth through each said seat bore and into the fruit; means movably attached to each said puncturing member and operative to rotatably move said member through the fruit seat bore and into the fruit; means adjacent the beginning of said fruit-compressing path for rendering said movable means momen-Y tarily operative to simultaneously rotate and move said puncturing member a substantial distance into the pulp structure of the fruit; and

means extending along said'fruit-compressing path for rendering said movable means operative to move said puncturing member to, and maintain it in, a rind-penetrating position; said hollow puncturing member serving to carry oi juice from the fruit as the latter is progressively compressed between the holders of said chains.

3. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit comprising a first continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of said holders comprising a fruit seat; a second continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of which holders comprises a fruit support; said second endless chain being positioned to travel in a progressive fruit-compressing path relative to said first chain, and in Lwhich corresponding holders of each chain are (l) movable towards each other at the beginning of said fruit-compressing path, (2) en-v gageable with each other in fruit-compressing relation throughout said path; and (3) movable away vfrom each other at the end of said path, the combination therewith of: fruit seats for said rst holders each having a central bore therethrough; a hollow fruit-puncturing member movable back and forth through each said seat bore and into the fruit; means movably attached to each said puncturing member and operative to move said mem-ber through the fruit seat vbore and, for varying distances, into the fruit; means adjacent the :beginning of said fruit-compressing path for rendering said movable means momen-V tarily operative to move said puncturing member a substantial distance into the pulp structurer of the fruit; and means extending along said fruit-compressing path for rendering said movable means operative to move said puncturing member to, and maintain it in, a rind-penentrating position; said hollow puncturing member serving to carry oir juice from the fruit as the latter is progressively compressed between the holders of said chains.

4. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit comprising a first continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, a second continuously movable endless chain of individual fruit holders, said second endless chain being positioned to travel in a progressive fruitcompressing path relative to said rst chain, and in which corresponding holders of each chain are engageable with each other in fruit-compressing relation throughout said path, the combination therewith of holders .for said first chain each having a central bore therethrough; a channeled fruit-puncturing member movable back and forth through each said bore and into the rind and pulp structure of the iruit; means movably supporting each said puncturing mem-ber and normally operative throughout said fruit-compressing path to support the said member in a rindpenetrating position relative to the fruit, and means adjacent the beginning of said fruit-compressing path for rendering said movable meansA momentarily operative to move the puncturing member a substantial distance through the rind and into the fruit to severV the pulp structure of the same, said channeled puncturing member serving to carry off juice from the fruit as the latter is progressively compressed between the holders of said chains.

5. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit uncontaminated with rind oil comprising an upper and a lower continuously movable, endless chain of individual fruit holders,

said chains being positioned relatively to 'eaclji` other to support and `to progressively compress ,fruit between'corresponding holders thereof, the

improvement which comprises: lower holders each having ncentrally bored Afruit seats of generally frusto-conical shape, each said seat being intersected by a series of upstanding, spaced,`n

' like members of -greater height than said seat,

said series of nl-ike mem-bershaving acentral cavity-extendinginwardly of :the free endsfof the vmembers to-f-or-m a -frui-t receptacle which at the base thereof merges into the top of said fruit seat, the conically shaped sides of the fruit seat and the spaces between said members serving to drain any rind oil formed during the compression of the fruit; a peripheral channel at the base of each said lower holder for receiving rind oil from said spaces and seat sides; means for withdrawing rind oil from each said channel; means operating through said seat bores for forming an opening in each fruit and for coincidentally severing the internal pulp structure thereof at the initial stage of the fruit compressing action; and means for inserting a fruit juice conduit in said opening a distance just sucient to penetrate through the rind of the fruit.

6. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit comprising an upper and a lower continuously movable, endless chain of individual fruit holders, each of said holders comprising a central fruit seat and means for supporting fruit thereon, said chains being positioned to hold and to -progressively compress lfruit lbetween corresponding holders thereof, the improvement which comprises: lower holders having a central bore in the fruit seat thereof, guide means mounted in each said bore, a hollow fruit-puncturing member movable in said guide means and through said seat bore for puncturing each fruit including the rind and pulp structure thereof, means movable longitudinally of said guide means for supporting said puncturing member in said guide means, means for actuating said movable means to move the puncturing member through the guide means and seat bore and into the fruit at the initial stage of the fruit compressing action, and means for de-actuating said movable means to partially withdraw the puncturing member from the fruit, said hollow puncturing member serving to carry 01T juice from the fruit as the latter is progressively compressed between the holders of said chains.

'7. In a machine for removing the jui-ce from citrus fruit uncontaminated with rind oil comprising a series of individual fruit holders and means for advancing and progressively compressing the fruit in said holders, the improvement which comprises: holders having a centrally bored fruit seat therein, a hollow rotatable fruitpuncturing member movable through each said seat bore for puncturing each fruit including the rind and pulp structure thereof, means spaced adjacent each fruit holder and movable therewith for movably supporting and rotating said puncturing member, means for actuating said spaced means to rotate and move the puncturing member through the seat bore and into the fruit, including the pulp structure thereof, at the initial stage of the fruit compressing action, and means for de-actuating said spaced means to partially withdraw the puncturing member from the fruit, said hollow puncturing member serving to carry off juice from the fruit as the latter is progressively compressed in said holders.

8. In a machine for removing the juice from citrus fruit comprising an upper and a lower lo continuously movable, vendless chain of 4individual fruit holders, said chainsfbeing positioned tohold vand progressively "compress fruit between corresponding holders thereof, the Vimprovement ywhichV comprisesrafruitfseat in each lower holder comprising an upper fruit-receiving portion having side walls sloping v'away therefrom, said upper portion being substantially smaller in area than the Vvarea-of v a central-cross-section of the fruit, each said fruit seat having a central bore therethrough which opens through substantially the entire area of said upper portion, said sloping walls of the fruit seat serving to drain away any rind oil formed during the compression of the fruit; means for forming an opening in each fruit and coincidently severing the internal pulp structure thereof at the initial stage of the fruit compressing action; and means for inserting a fruit juice conduit through each said bore and into each fruit opening a distance sumcient to penetrate the rind of the fruit.

9. In a machine for dejuicing citrus fruit having channeled holders for receiving and supporting fruit and means for advancing and progressively -compressing the fruit in said holders to extract the juice therefrom, the improvement which comprises: a fruit puncturing and juice conduit member on each holder movable in said channel toward and from fruit resting on the holder, each holder being traversable through a fruit compression path, said member being movably supported to move in said path, a first means along the path for moving said member at an initial stage of fruit compression toward the fruit to puncture the rind and pulp structure thereof, and a second means along the path and adjacent said i'lrst means for withdrawing said member from the fruit to a point where the member just penetrates the rind, thereby permitting the member to conduct juice from the fruit durthe ensuing compression of said fruit.

10. In a machine for dejuicing citrus fruit having channeled holders for receiving and supporting fruit and means for advancing said holders and progressively compressing the fruit therein to extra ct the juce, the improvement which comprises: a fruit puncturing and juice conduit member on each holder movable in said channel toward and from fruit resting on the holder, each holder being traversable through a fruit compression path, said member being actuated by means positioned along said path, said actuating means comprising (1) means at an initial stage of fruit compression for moving said member toward the fruit to puncture the rind and pulp structure thereof, (2) means adjacent said last named means for partially withdrawing said member from the fruit, thereby permitting said member to conduct juice from the fruit, and (3) means for maintaining said member in a juice-conducting position during the ensuing compression of the fruit.

11. In a machine for dejuicing citrus fruit having holders for supporting fruit and means for advancing and progressively compressing the fruit in said holders to extract the juice, the improvement which comprises: a fruit puncturing and juice conduit member on each holder movable toward and from fruit resting on the holder, each holder being traversable through a fruit compression rpath, said member being moved by means positioned along said path, said moving means including (l) means at an initial stage of fruit compression for moving said member toward the fruit-to vpuncture the rind and'pulp structure thereof, (2) means adjacent said last named means for partially withdrawing said member from the fruit, thereby permitting said member to conduct juice fromthe fruit, and (3) means for maintaining said mem-ber in a juice-conducting REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date McLaughlin Dec. 7, 1925v Maull Sept. 5, 1933 McCall f Dec. 25, 1934 Pipkn May 20, 1947 

